Okay, so maybe the science has come around to find that breakfast isn’t necessarily the most important meal of the day – but it is the best one! All those mornings you’re waking up with an empty stomach and you need a hot plate of hash browns to get your mood straight.
Start your day with breakfast Houston style. Here in the city, you can find an unparalleled spread of diners, delis, and restaurants with menus full of all your breakfast favorites – and maybe a couple eccentric plates too if you’re feeling frisky.
Without further ado, check out our list of the best breakfast Houston has in store!
1. The Breakfast Klub
Passing by the Montrose eatery, one might feel a bit apprehensive at the sight of the queue forming at Breakfast Klub. However, based on our own personal encounters, the line tends to move quicker than expected. While we do recommend arriving on the earlier side to avoid waits, we’d still say that even a longer line at Breakfast Klub is worth the wait.
Among their standout breakfast offerings, two signature dishes shine – the katfish & grits and wings & waffle. The latter presents a playful twist on the classic brunch item, featuring delectable wings in lieu of traditional chicken pieces.
Rest assured, any selection from their menu bursts with abundant flavors spanning from the eggs to the grits and everything in between! Breakfast is available daily from 7 am to 2 pm.
3711 Travis St
2. Dandelion Cafe
Opened in 2016, Dandelion Cafe began as a simple cafe. Since then, the all-day breakfast restaurant in Houston has been lauded as the “best breakfast in Houston” by Good Morning America.
GMA specifically noted the restaurant’s chicken and waffles – in which the restaurant marinates the chicken in blended chorizo and creole spices 24 hours in advance, while the buttermilk and cornbread waffles are house-made.
Furthermore, diners can choose from classic dishes, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, biscuits, build-you-own-omelettes, and more. Coffee, juices, smoothies, and mimosas by the pitcher are also available.
5405 Bellaire Blvd.
3. Lola Diner
Situated in the Heights, Lola stands as a trendy contemporary diner renowned for its all-day breakfast offerings. Despite amassing over 1,500 Google reviews, it’s challenging to consider this diner as unnoticed. Nevertheless, we are staunch advocates for granting this diner greater acclaim.
Well before chicken and waffles became a common staple on brunch menus across the nation, Lola’s pioneered the cherished dish, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to assert that they’ve achieved culinary perfection with it.
When the holidays roll around, we also recommend their Thanksgiving sandwich piled with all the holiday staples you’d hope for.
1102 Yale St.
4. Victor’s Deli
Located in the Cypress suburb of Houston, Victor’s Restaurant stands out as one of the rare mom-and-pop eateries. This relaxed establishment caters to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert preferences.
Alongside traditional diner favorites, patrons can savor a variety of European delicacies such as potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and wiener schnitzel. Additionally, their reuben sandwich is a must-try, possibly vying for the title of the town’s best.
4710 Farm to Market 1960 W
5. Harry’s Restaurant & Cafe
For over seven decades, Harry’s Restaurant & Cafe has earned numerous awards for its celebrated breakfast choices. Alongside traditional diner favorites, Harry’s presents a diverse selection of international dishes, blending Southern, Latin, and European flavors.
Tempting selections include the Baklava French Toast, artisanal Salvadoran Papusa Mañanera, and savory Pork Gyro. Harry’s Restaurant & Cafe is closed on Tuesdays.
318 Tuam St.
6. La Guadalupana Bakery & Cafe
Nestled within Montrose, La Guadalupana Bakery & Cafe is a family-run establishment that exudes an authentic Mexican home-cooked ambiance, setting it apart from many local eateries.
While their breakfast taco selections may constitute a modest portion of their diverse menu, they undeniably hold a significant place in our affections.
2900 Dunlavy St.
7. Eloise Nichols
Eloise Nichols is an easy-going American bistro nestled in the River Oaks shopping district. Breakfast at the bistro is served until 11 am. Options range from breakfast sandwiches served on pretzel buns (or buttermilk biscuits), classic flapjacks, kitchen omelettes, and breakfast tacos.
2400 Mid Lane No. 100
8. Puebla’s Mexican Kitchen
Puebla’s Mexican Kitchen stands as a genuine and welcoming eatery that is absolutely worth experiencing, earning its spot on the lineup of must-visit Mexican restaurants in the Houston area. Our preference is to drop by in the morning hours to initiate our day with a quintessentially Houstonian touch—indulging in irresistible breakfast tacos. The charming ambiance exudes a lively and colorful atmosphere, and it’s highly recommended to opt for outdoor seating when the sun graces the scene!
6320 N Main St
9. Empire Cafe
Home to American eats served in generous portions, Empire Cafe is a gas station-turned bistro with a comfortable European atmosphere in Montrose. Specialty dishes at Empire Cafe include: Huevos Rancheros, Shakshouka, Empire Cafe Benedicts, El Paso Migas, and more. Breakfast here is served from 7:30 am – 11 am Monday through Friday and from 7:30 am – 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
1732 Westheimer Rd.
10. Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen
Kenny & Ziggy’s is a New York Jewish deli owned and operated by Ziggy Gruber. Coming from a long-line of deli owners, Ziggy imbues the Houston deli with the longstanding tradition of New York delicatessens.
Here, patrons can find New York deli classics such as pastrami on rye (triple smoked), lox and bagels, Roumanian steak, kishkes, latkes, Matzo Ball Soup, handcrafted all beef hot dogs, an endless list of stellar sandwiches, and much more.
For breakfast, diners can choose from a large swatch of cereals, egg-based dishes, omelettes, pancakes, bagels, sides, and more. House favorites include the New York Blueberry Cheesecake Pancakes, Hungarian Apple Strudel Pancakes, Blintz-stuffed French Toast, and Schnitzel & Waffle Tower.
1743 Post Oak Blvd
11. House of Pies
House of Pies is a certified late-night Houston restaurant staple. For many of us, breakfast is not limited to breakfast hours. At House of Pies, breakfast isn’t limited even to waking hours. Here, you can find huevos rancheros, chicken-fried steak with eggs, avocado toast, breakfast tacos – pies, did we mentioned they had pies? – biscuits, sausage, gravy, banana-pecan pancakes, etc., etc., etc.
Multiple locations